The Pittsburgh Sports and Exhibition Authority owned the Civic Arena and the land upon which it was built. The Penguins never had a say in whether it was to remain, or if it should be torn down.
"The Civic Arena closed on June 26, 2010. The former Mellon naming rights expired soon after, and the Penguins and all other events moved across the street to the new Consol Energy Center. The arena's owner, the Sports & Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, initially voted in September 2010 to demolish the building in 2011. However, in November 2010, the arena was nominated for Pittsburgh historic status at the last minute, and demolition was delayed. A final vote by the Pittsburgh Historic Review Commission on the nomination was held on March 2, 2011. The result was the HRC declining the arena for historic status. After votes from City Planning and Pittsburgh City Council also declined historic status, a federal lawsuit was filed by those who wish to save the arena in from demolition. The 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals denied the lawsuit. Demolition began on September 26, 2011 and was completed on March 31, 2012. In its place, existing public parking lots around the building were expanded over the entire site."